In just about every single one of my hair tutorials I mention something about adding “texture” into your hair.

I mostly use aerosol texture sprays, but in the past I’ve used a fair amount of texture powders as well.

So, what is the difference between the two, you ask? And why are they useful?

The main difference is application method, and right behind that would be the amount of texture added into the hair. Texture powders typically leave a chalkier, heavier residue on the hair. The perk is that it can create major volume and thickness in fine or limp hair, but at the expense of your hair feeling like it has a bunch of product in it. Personally, I don’t mind the feeling of product in my hair, but it may take some getting used to if you are new to texture powder.

Texture sprays will add lightness and a bit of grit to the hair without the weight of a powder. It’s easier to apply this roots to tips, versus just tapping powder into the roots. While you typically won’t have as much invisible residue as you will with a powder, you can still get big results from a texture spray.

Dry shampoo can also add quite a bit of texture to fresh, silky hair so it will cooperate better in an updo. If that doesn’t cut it, the next step would be to use a texture spray.

And, like you may have gathered, the point of all these products is to add a bit of bulk and hold to your hair, especially if you are planning on putting it up. Even if you want to wear it down, texture powder or spray can help your hair look a little lived in instead of fresh and clean.

I know, fresh and clean hair shouldn’t be the kind of thing to ruin, but the trend these days is soft, romantic, and textured hair.

If you struggle with your hair sliding out of updo’s or braids, a texture spray or powder would be an essential product to help fight that issue!

On days when I want to skip washing and throw my hair into a ponytail or messy bun, I’ll add a bit of texture spray all over, concentrating on the back of my head. Lately I’ve been loving the Amika Un.Done Texture Spray. It’s the perfect amount of product, in a light spray, and it smells like a dream (as does every single one of Amika’s products).

If you have very fine or thin hair, I would strongly recommend looking into a texture powder. Redken makes a nice one that isn’t too chalky (in consistency, not color). If you don’t mind a bit of chalky feeling at the root, which is what gives the volume anyway, Schwarzkopf Osis Dust It has been a favorite for many years.

I tried the one from Big Sexy Hair once and I must have overdone it! My hair didn’t look a little “undone”, it looked totally dirty and felt disgusting! And the worst part was I wasn’t able to achieve any extra volume!!! I remember being so upset b/c my friend had just went to the salon and had this product used on her hair & hers was so thick looking…. Been scared to try it since!!

I love using dry shampoo on days when I don’t get a chance to wash my hair. And it also does double duty as a texturizing spray for great updos and volume. My go to is Suave-you can’t beat the price and works just fine!

I’ve tried dry shampoos (Dove and Suave) to create texture. Both were so strongly scented that I stopped using them. I would love to try the Amika product, but am worried I would have the same issue. Is it common for dry shampoos to be so heavily scented?

Ding ding–I’m the fine thin hair girl you are talking about!! I have heard you say “texture powder” or “texture spray” and haven’t known why and which one. Thanks so much for this. I hope this will help curl stay in my hair now!!!

Herbal Essences Naked Dry Shampoo is AMAZING! I was buying dry shampoos from salons because I thought I had to pay for a more expensive one to get the good stuff, but then I decided to try this one and I was so surprised! It works waaaaay better than the other one, smells deee-lishious, creates volume and texture, and it’s only like three bucks 🙂 I’d definitely recommend it:)

I recently tried the Kenra Platinum Texture Spray and like it very much. Before that I always used the Redken Powder Refresh. That product was recently discontinued by Redken and replaced it with the pillow proof blow dry two day extender, but I haven’t tried it yet. Maybe next time.

Eufora Powder Lift – Tried just about everything and love this one so much, I can’t live without it. Put just a little bit at the roots and you can reactivate it throughout the day by “scrunching” it with your fingers.

I have super thick hair and have been using the aquage for when I “fix” it, but my bangs are in this awful stage of super heavy and I don’t want to cut them but it’s like they are too heavy for bobby pins! Do you have a favorite pin to keep bangs out of the way?

For those that don’t like the heavy scent that most dry shampoos offer, I personally like the Klorane aerosol spray one. It just lightly smells of baby powder and is by no means overwhelming. I also find that it works well on my dark hair even though the spray is white.

KMS Hairplay Make-over Spray….I never wash my hair two days in a row, and this is the perfect amount of texture and oil absorbency. It has a really light scent, and a great hand-feel, never too waxy or heavy.

I’ve been using Garnier Fructis De-Constructed Texture Tease dry touch finish spray. Absolutely LOVE it. Smells great, gives great texture and hold without feeling like I have dirty hair, smells great, lasts all day and is cheap.

Recommendations for dry shampoo (for the day 2 greasies) on dark hair?? I’m having alot of difficulty finding a product that actually disappears without a ton of brushing thru (which ruins the curls i’m trying to save). I’ve tried Batiste and I just cannot get past the smell. The biggest thing I don’t like about some of those “dark” ones though is that they’re dyed…so if you overspray, you’re spraying dark brown stuff on yourself or your clothes or face. Not cool. Any truly invisible ones out there????

My hair is black violet and fuschia, and tends to get super oily by midday of day 2. Since I started using the Osis Refresh Dust, bodifying dry shampoo, I haven’t had that issue at all (like I’ve gone 4 days without washing my hair and it’ll still look good!). It does spray on white, but the color dissappear once it soaks in. I have tried every brand of dry shampoo I could put my hands on and this obe, by far, out performs all of them. Can’t live without it now

Love this post – I’m a texture product freak! I found some spray by Garnier at Target on clearance and scooped it up – love it! If you can find it, but it. They may. E discontinuing it because I cannot find it anywhere else.

I am a regular user of Dust It and I’ve recently gotten the Oscar Blondi powder dry shampoo. I like it pretty good for everyday hair.

I ditto Deanna – I love the original Dust It. For a spray, I use the Ion brand dry shampoo from Sally. It is also great for freshening up my fine hair especially if I am heading out after a long work day.

I have soft, fine, dark hair and learning to put texture in my hair has been a life saver for when I want to do an updo or messy bun. I started playing with different powders and shampoos thanks to your blog and videos, Kate! I don’t find the dry shampoos put enough texture in my hair to make much difference for styling, though. For real texture I rely on the Schwarzkopf Dust It. My fave dry shampoo was a sample from Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/shop/klorane-dry-shampoo-with-oat-milk . It’s a cut above the drugstore brands and actually smells light and fresh, not overly perfumy. Properly applied, it can turn my oily hair into amazingly refreshed and clean hair!

I recently tried Bumble and Bumble’s dry powder spray. It smells like nothing and I also feel like it does nothing for my hair. My stylist even showed me how to properly apply it, on my fresh cut. I love styling my hair on day 2 with a braid or bun of some sort, but my biggest problem is my scalp area gets so oily. Will the powder or sprays be more helpful to combat the oil while giving me that good second day texture?

I have fine blonde hair and I absolutely love the L’anza Healing Style Power Up texturizing powder. I’ve tried using it after drying and curling my hair to create a messy, high volume style and more recently I tried using it on my damp hair before blow drying with a roll brush and I loved the texture and hold that it created–less messy and more controlled full volume and made my hair thick feeling. If you are fine-haired girl, definitely give one of these a try, it changed my life. Also love the Amika product.

Hi ho i do not use any texture on my hair.. even though it is frizzy, long, and sometimes annoying! My hair has been so dry. Changed my hair washing schedule, my brush, and the products i have been using… and the result is…..
Still waiting……..

I randomly saw a tiny bottle at the impulse shop section by the registers at Ulta and was attracted to it because of its green color. Weirdly, it happened to be something I was looking for that day but couldn’t decide which one to go with. I didn’t see this one on the floor, only at the impulse section. So I impulsively grabbed it and I’m so glad I did. I have really thick hair that tends to hang limp and this adds a little extra bounce and grit to my hair in the perfect amount. And I love the way it smells! It isn’t overwhelming at all. It’s the Blow Pro Textstyle Dry Texture Spray. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5870290

YES! I was reading all of the comments just to see if anyone else recommended it because I sure do!! I have very fine hair, but lots of it (it’s not THIN) and it works great with my hair. I’m also a brunette and it doesn’t leave flakes or white stuff in it.
And I did the same thing as you, grabbed it as I was checking out. <3

Celsey we are hair twins! I’m also a brunette with fine THICK hair. Every time I go to get my hair colored by stylist says ‘I always forget how much HAIR you have’ because it doesn’t look like a lot until you start digging. I’m definitely trying the BlowPro spray, and I’ll take any more recommendations you have. 🙂

I have tried a few different dry shampoos and always come back to Suave funny enough! I haven’t tried any texturizing spray yet so I will have to give your recommendations a try! I just bought the Kenra hairspray and the Aquage recently and love them! Although, I also found a generic version of Kenra at Sally’s and think it works just as well! For 5$ you can’t beat it!

Oh my gosh I really want to try some of these products out now! My hair looks lifeless all the time at the minute so this post has been great help! Thank you so much! I also really want to buy the Amika spray just for the beautiful bottle!

I’ve struggled with having dark hair as well, but I really like Blow Pro’s dry shampoo. It doesn’t leave anything behind. It’s fairly unscented (love the smell of Kenra’s dry shampoo…not the texture spray), but it left so much crap in my hair I had to try something else. Recommend the Blow Pro for brunettes though!

I’m a natural blonde with very dark dyed hair right now. I use the same powders I use when I’m blonde, but let them sit for a few minutes after spraying and then “rub” them in with my fingertips…almost like I’m washing my hair. It helps the powdery look disappear and then I brush a time or two to be sure!

I have been playing around with different methods for adding texture. I have found that typically the powder textures leave my hair feeling too heavy and its hard to cover my whole head. I use Tresemme dry shampoo for my day old hair and it does an awesome job of reviving my hair and giving it some texture at the same time. And it’s not very expensive either!

I love texturizing powder and have used dust it which is great. I recently discovered that Schwarzkopf also makes got2b and they have a powder which is exactly the same thing (same ingredients) as the dust it and it’s way cheaper, about $5-6 for the same thing!

Secret: Osis Dust It (about $18-20 retail) by Schwarzkopf and göt2b Powderful (also by Shwarzkopf! [email protected]!) have EXACTLY the same ingredients. I own both products & they are identical except for the packaging.

So, I use a dry shampoo on days that I don’t wash my hair. I was eyeing a texture powder this week, but I’m wondering if it will have the same effect as the dry shampoo? Will it absorb the oil at the roots, or just “fluff up” my hair?

My stylist and I have been having this conversation for awhile. My hair is superfine and slips out of every style, I can’t even get backcombing to hold for root volume. I think for the longest time she thought I must be doing something wrong, not using the right tools or product or whatever. She always gives me a little volume when she styles it and an hour after I leave, its flat again. Last year, my sister was in town and she wanted to get a haircut so I got mine done first and in the time I sat there waiting while she got hers done, it fell. Next time I was in, we tried the Redken and it has been a game changer for me- I usually go several days between shampoos and my day 1 volume carries through in between, if it is a little flat after a day or so, I just fluff it back up, I don’t even have to add more product. I only have to use such a small amount but it never feels like I have too much product in my hair, I can still run my fingers through depending on the style.

I’ve used both texture powder and texture spray. The powder I like for focusing right at the root – the spray is perfect for all over if I’m putting my hair up. I just got the Amika un.done and like it, but I can’t decide if I like it better than the Kenra (I definitely like the smell better in the Amika!!!).

I also have used baby powder on my fine hair. I’m not a fan of the smell, but it’s cheap and easy to find and I can’t beat that. My only wonder is if it’s somehow harming my hair or drying it out too much …do you know if this happens? I like my hair so much more when it feels thicker and isn’t so limp and fine.

Do you have any particular way that you like to apply dry shampoo? I am wondering if there is a technique to applying it, or if you just spray at the roots and let it set in. Any tips on how to get the most out of a dry shampoo? Thanks!

Not sure if anyone is still reading this but – Bumble & Bumble Dry Spun is a great texture spray. A little goes a long way though. When I’m going for big sexy hair I use a lot and plan to wash it ASAP. On a daily basis though a few spritzes at the roots of my fine flat hair gives me just the boost I need.

I hate the feeling of product in my hair but I am growing out so I need to use products. My question is do you know of products that will help with style but not make my hair feel gooey. I am growing out a horrible haircut that I hate. During the day I am ok with it because I am not messing with it but at night I like to twirl my hair to go to sleep LOL so I need to have my hair not feel yucky. I also need to wash my hair in the morning for it to style right. I tried googling for your answers on this but nothing came up with my hair is driving me nuts LOL thanks if you have time to reply 🙂

I’m new to your blog. I need some suggestions regarding my cousin’s hair fall. Recently she noticed that her hair falling and becoming thinner. What do you suggest for her?? And I heard that texture sprays are expensive!! Is it??
Thanks in advance

Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.|

Thought I’m not the texturizing product user, but really after reading your post I’ll definitely will go for it, This is the most beautiful post you have been written. Thanks for sharing the great tips.

Love dry shampoos and texturizing sprays! We’ve tried a ton of them out there and our favorites include Drybay’s Detox spray and Oribe’s Texturizing spray. We love all things dry shampoo and constantly are reviewing the best dry shampoos out on the market. Would love your feedback on some of our reviews and articles! We recently featured one on taking care of oily hair at http://www.dryshampoos.com

Love, love, love this post! The new Powder Play Lite from Sexy Hair is aaaaaamazing for fine hair – comes out in a super fine (dry) mist almost! The first day I used it two of my girlfriends asked what I used because they’d never seen my hair so voluminous haha! Also, the Pravana dry shampoo is super textured. Reminds me of the Oribe texture spray for at a fraction of the cost!